Exhibitors address PCB design, test, and inspection

APEX, February 20–22, Los Angeles, CA, IPC Association Connecting Electronics Industries. www.goapex.org.

By Staff -- Test & Measurement World, 4/1/2007

Agilent Technologies debuted its Medalist i3070 in-circuit test (ICT) system, which according to the company employs advanced algorithms to increase analog test throughput by 50%, compared with legacy 3070 systems. The i3070 systems include Agilent’s VTEP v2.0 vectorless test technology. CheckSum introduced its Analyst fcs ICT system, which accommodates bed-of-nails test fixtures built for Agilent 3X7X-series ICT systems. CheckSum also debuted its Analyst ems+ft system, which combines ICT and functional test, and announced an order for multiple CheckSum systems that integrate boundary-scan tools from Corelis.

Elektrobit exhibited a range of JOT Automation test equipment, including two mobile terminal test boxes (the J409-41 and J409-54) and a new panel-flash stand-alone fixture. The J409-41 combines RF shielding with one-hand open/close operation, quick adapter change, and minimal maintenance. The J409-54 is an RF-shielded mobile terminal test handler designed for board-level testing and mobile-terminal final test. The semi-automatic unit can interface with a vision test system and button test actuators.

Distributor Aegis Electronic Group presented new Sony smart cameras, including the XCI-V3, which is equipped with a VGA (640x480-pixel) progressive-scan CCD, and the XCI-SX1, which incorporates an SXGA (1280x1024-pixel) progressive-scan CCD. Both cameras include an AMD Geode GX533 processor with either a built-in Linux or a Windows XPE operating system.

Viscom introduced its X7056 parallel optical and x-ray inspection system, which combines 3-D automatic x-ray inspection (AXI) with parallel top and bottom optical inspection. BPM Microsystems showcased its 4710 automated programming system, which is designed specifically for high-density devices that exhibit long programming times. The 4710 can rapidly program flash devices while offering the versatility to program microcontrollers, FPGAs, PLDs, and other device types.

Acculogic introduced an ICT system, a flying-prober enhancement, boundary-scan (JTAG), CAD-processing, and test-control software. Digitaltest highlighted automated in-circuit, flying-probe, and functional test systems. The company shared a booth with The Test Connection, which demonstrated an integrated in-circuit and functional tester that employed a PXI system.

Sunstone Circuits, a specialist in prototype and high-mix, low-volume PCB design and production, introduced what the company describes as its ECOsystem, “a strategic vision to consolidate and improve the PCB prototyping process for designers from concept-to-delivery through the integration of four discrete segments of PCB prototyping.” Texmac announced that it now offers testing and programming services based on Takaya APT Series flying-probe test systems. The services are available to users of Takaya systems and to electronics manufacturers who need fixtureless test performed on a contract basis.

Aegis Industrial Software, a vendor of manufacturing information-management systems, showcased the Version 7 evolution of its NPI (new product introduction) and MES (manufacturing execution system) software system. The software facilitates the collection and analysis of test and inspection data. VJ Electronix introduced its Vertex Series-A x-ray inspection system. The company reports that the new system employs a flexible design that allows it to be customized to any inspection task, that it allows for faster load/unload product exchange, and that it includes a closed-loop control system to ensure reproducible results.

Eunil H.A. Americas highlighted its SPOIS PCB optical inspection system. The system employs MVTec’s Halcon software. RMD Instruments introduced its LeadTracer-RoHS XRF (x-ray fluorescence) system, which is designed specifically for the electronic industry to provide portable screening capability to help meet RoHS directives. CyberOptics chose APEX for the US debut of its Flex Ultra HR optical inspection (AOI) platform. The company also introduced a new user interface.